Description
Dutch Republic, Franco-Dutch War 1672-1678, Silver 50 Stuiver or 1 Rijksdaalder Klippe, 1672, commemorative issue following the Siege of Groningen by Christoph Bernhard Freiherr von Galen, Prince-Bishop of Münster. Obverse: Crowned Shield of Arms of the city of Groningen, denomination either side of shield, date to top left of crown, legend and outer beaded border surrounds, “·IVRE· ET· TEMPORE”. Reverse: Uniface. KM-27.2. A bold example of a less often seen type, despite the minor mark to the obverse, the piece is attractive and neatly struck – a great piece of 17th century European history, details Extremely Fine and scarce.
The Obverse Latin legend reads “iūre et tempore”, which in English may read “In accordance with law and time”.
On the 1st of June 1670, King Charles II signed the secret Treaty of Dover, pledging English military support, in the form of 60 warships and 4000 soldiers, to King Louis XIV’s war of conquest of the Dutch Republic, laying the foundations for the subsequent Franco-Dutch Wars between 1672 to 1678 AD. The beginning of the conflict, the ‘Rampjaar’ or the 1672 ‘Year of Disaster’, saw much French success with their invasion of Dutch lands and by the end of June were dangerously close to the core province of Holland – their advance only halted when Dutch forces opened the sleuces and flooded the Dutch Water Line and much of the countryside. Seeing an opportunity to further his influence with the court of Louis XIV, Christoph Bernhard Freiherr von Galen, the Prince-Bishop of Münster, now joined the French side and invaded the Dutch Republic from the northeast, first occupying the provinces Drenthe and Overijssel and on the 9th of July he besieged the city of Groningen. The formidable city walls caused a prolonged siege, and due to the aforementioned flooding of the countryside Bernhard von Galen’s troops soon were starving; after the several month besiegement, the now weakened army retreated on the 17th August 1672, ending all chances of further Münster invasion into the Netherlands and allowed Dutch forces to recapture all lost territory. This event bore a local holiday in Groningen which is celebrated annually on the 28th August, it is called “Gronings Ontzet” or “Bommen Berend” and is accompanied by festive music and fireworks.